How to Say "Wolf" in Irish - How To Say Guide

mac tíre

/ˌmˠak ˈtʲiːɾʲə/masculine

The English word wolf is translated into Irish as mac tíre. Wiktionary also lists faolchú and madra alla.

Meaning: animal (noun)

Ways to say it

Mac tíre is the most common and poetic way to refer to the animal in Irish.

The phrase mac tíre literally means son of the earth, where mac means son and tíre means of the earth or land.

Faolchú is another term for wolf. Madra alla and madra allta are also used to refer to the animal.

All provided forms of the word are masculine nouns.

/ˌmˠak ˈtʲiːɾʲə/

The word cú inside faolchú is the same root used for the legendary hero Cú Chulainn, whose name means 'The Hound of Culann'.
The adjective alla in madra alla is thought to be linked to the idea of a 'great shout' or 'loud voice', implying the wolf's howl.
The poetic use of mac tíre allows the speaker to refer to the wolf without using the word for 'dog' (madra), elevating the animal's status in the natural hierarchy.

Díreach toisc gur mac tíre mé glacann gach duine leis gur drochdhuine mé.
Just because I'm a wolf, everybody assumes I'm a bad guy.
This sentence shows how mac tíre can be used metaphorically to describe a person's character.
Tatoeba #10317487 by koala, translation #9808974 by CK
Bhí an mac tíre sa choill.
The wolf was in the woods.

Oisín and Niamh are looking at a picture in a book.

Oisín

Ceapaim go bhfuil mac tíre sa phictiúr seo.
I think there is a wolf in this picture.
Niamh

Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil sé ansin.
I am sure it is there.
Oisín

Tá mac tíre an-táite.
A wolf is very scary.
Niamh

Tá tú ceart, Oisín.
You are right, Oisín.

Sources

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